The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) based at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, is working with partners to develop a framework supporting local authorities to achieve net zero in a way that aligns with and supports national ambition on net zero. The project was awarded funding under Innovate UK’s ‘Net Zero Living Programme’. This report summarises the main findings from workshops held in May and June 2024.
The project, which is developing a ‘locally determined contribution,’ (LDC) for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough builds upon the findings of the Skidmore Review of the UK’s net zero strategy, which emphasised the critical role of local government leadership and place-based actions in addressing the climate crisis. It also builds on findings from the UKRI which show that place-specific approaches to net zero deliver more emissions reduction, and enhanced co-benefits, for less money invested. Although the initial project will be based and driven by partners across Cambridgeshire, it is anticipated that the resulting framework will serve as a model for local authority roadmaps nationwide.
Emily Farnworth, Director of the CCE said:
“We are very grateful to the expert contributors for their participation in these workshops. It is only by working with local partners and by collaborating across various stakeholder groups, that we will develop a successful and groundbreaking framework to support local authorities in the transition to net zero.”
Data workshop
The first workshop was a technical discussion on national and local greenhouse gas emissions data, local reporting protocols and methodologies and the Nationally Determined Contribution process. It explored what data is available, how this data is currently used, and how it could be used to underpin the LDC guidance framework to drive Cambridgeshire’s net zero delivery and future resilience.
Key themes and recommendations for using data to inform the LDC framework:
- Understand the importance of integrating data sources and ensuring transparency to build trust among stakeholders.
- Implement practical strategies and develop scalable tools for local authorities to make informed decisions.
- Set fair and equitable carbon budgets, considering local contributions to national targets.
- Encourage behaviour change and collaboration across sectors, including local authorities and the NHS.
- Highlight co-benefits of carbon reduction, like improved public health and economic opportunities, to gain support.
Investment workshop
This workshop focused on how investment flows can support the Locally Determined Contributions. It explored recent trends in place-based investments, and gathered investor insights on how LDCs can inspire confidence for investment. The discussion aimed to better understand what should be included in the framework guidance to unlock place-based investment, including the standardisation of aspects of project portfolio implementation and management.
Key themes and recommendations for investment guidance
- Effective coordination between national and local governments can create a more stable environment for investors.
- A coordinated approach ensures consistent targets and ambitions across jurisdictions, facilitating clearer investment signals.
- An LDC can serve as a foundation for negotiations with central governments, providing certainty for businesses and investors.
- Consistent regulatory frameworks and policies at both national and local levels create a more favourable investment climate.
- Clearer national strategies and policies are needed to guide local land use and planning decisions toward net zero goals.
- Private finance should be the main source of funding for net zero initiatives, but making deals attractive to investors remains a challenge.
- Securing development funding is difficult due to significant project development costs often beyond local budgets.
- Local authorities require better financial modelling skills to develop viable business cases for net zero projects.
- Local authorities need more support and resources to manage complex net zero projects.
- Collaboration between public and private sectors, using innovative financing models and frameworks, is crucial for scaling investments.
- Standardising project approaches and aggregating smaller projects can create economies of scale and attract investments.
- Aggregated projects can attract larger investors who are typically deterred by smaller, fragmented opportunities.
Cambridgeshire workshop
This workshop invited local stakeholders across Cambridgeshire to share insights on the region’s priorities, challenges, barriers, and opportunities for climate resilience and net zero goals. Unique regional considerations included the importance of agriculture, high-tech industries, and environmental goods and services in the local economy.
Key themes and recommendations from local stakeholders
- Emphasise the importance of collaboration and shared targets to achieve net zero.
- Participants prefer a unified central target, broken down into sector-specific objectives, to address challenges in harder-to-abate sectors.
- Highlight the roles of local authorities, businesses, and community groups in co-ownership and decision-making.
- Acknowledge concerns about variable behaviour change and the need to demonstrate the impact of collaboration to secure funding and investment.
- Stress the importance of clear communication and engagement with all stakeholders, focusing on long-term trajectories rather than just targets.
- Address regional inequalities and consider diverse lived experiences in planning and implementation.
- Foster a sense of stewardship and custodianship of the land among stakeholders.
- Recognise the complexity of the challenge but also the readiness and willingness of various actors to contribute to a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Cambridgeshire.
Summary
The workshops emphasised the need for better alignment between different levels of government, increased community involvement, and more skills, resources, and funding. Participants saw big potential for the project, agreeing that an LDC guidance framework could help set clear local and national targets, encourage teamwork, and attract investment needed to reach net zero goals.
New steps
The Centre for Climate Engagement research team will use the information gathered to draft an initial framework document for discussion with the project board in the Winter. Further workshops will be held to test the framework and explore approaches for its replicability.
Partners
The project exemplifies effective local climate action through its collaborative approach. It is led by Cambridgeshire County Council working with a wide range of partners to create the framework including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Collaborate CIC.
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